Lionel’s Phantom train stars on this O gauge Halloween layout

Lionel's Phantom train on a small Halloween toy train layout

Lionel’s Phantom train is on the rails! We’ve all seen Lionel, MTH, and American Flyer model train sets running under the Christmas tree, but what about for Halloween? CTT editor Hal Miller builds a small layout he calls the Chaos, Tragedy & Terror RR. It captures the spirit of the season with accessories from Woodland […]

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State Line Route in N scale: Installing fascia, Episode 9

David Popp leaning on the fascia on the State Line N scale layout

David shows how he attached fascia to the State Line Route N scale layout to give it a more finished appearance. It can be especially tricky when there are no extra hands around to help with the curves, but David has a solution! Plus, Gerry Leone and Seth Puffer have finished building their structures for […]

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CTT’s fall 2021 special: Toy train layouts for small spaces

the magazine cover next to a tablet showing the cover featuring toy train diesel train on a layout

The latest special issue from Classic Toy Trains! If you’re looking to build your first toy train layout, or maybe just something more manageable, Toy Train Layouts for Small Spaces has you covered! It’s full of plans for layouts under 100 square feet that will fit in a spare room, including island and around the […]

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State Line Route in N scale: Laying down track, Episode 6

David Popp standing next to the State Line model railroadholding up an N scale turnout

After sanding the cork roadbed, David is ready to lay track on the State Line Route N scale layout. His tip: start with the most complex piece of track, which, in this case, is in the train yard! Plus, David checks in with Rene and Jenny to see how their structures for the layout are […]

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Steve Albee’s O gauge layout

Subway cars racing by on an O gauge layout.

Visit Steve Albee’s dual-level O gauge layout that fits in a spare room! This layout is one of many with plans that appears in the fall 2021 CTT special publication Toy train layouts for small spaces. Get your print or digital version here! There are freight trains and subways bringing light, action, and sound to […]

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State Line Route in N scale: Laying down cork roadbed, Episode 5

David works Rene and Sammi into the layout construction rotation. To start, David puts finishing touches on the subroadbed. He steps aside to let Rene and Sammi install the strips of cork roadbed that form the base for the N scale trackwork. Plus, you’ll see a preview of some structures to come! […]

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